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DVA payout for hearing loss in 2026

Hearing loss is one of the most commonly accepted DVA conditions. It's rated straight from your audiogram, and it's one of the few conditions that can be paid on its own at just 5 impairment points.

Rates and rules checked October 2026

Where hearing loss sits on the impairment scale

What hearing loss pays at 2026 rates

These examples run typical ratings through DVA's compensation tables. Operations service (warlike or non-warlike) pays more than peacetime service at the same rating, up to 80 points where they meet.

ExamplePointsOperations servicePeacetime service
Mild: 10% age-adjusted loss
10% ÷ 2		5$29.98/wk
$36,636 lump sum		$16.55/wk
$20,224 lump sum
Moderate: 20% age-adjusted loss
20% ÷ 2		10$49.66/wk
$60,685 lump sum		$27.74/wk
$33,898 lump sum
Significant: 40% age-adjusted loss
40% ÷ 2		20$99.32/wk
$121,369 lump sum		$55.48/wk
$67,797 lump sum
 Illustrative ratings before any age adjustment, using the lifestyle rating DVA treats as typical for each rating. Weekly amounts at 1 July 2026 rates; lump sums for a man aged 40 (slightly higher for women). Estimates only.

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Your conditions and how severe they are
Combined impairment points0
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Estimated lump sum
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An estimate only, not what DVA will decide. Based on GARP M 2026 and DVA's published maximum of $447.39 a week.

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How DVA rates hearing loss

Hearing loss is assessed under Part 7.1 of GARP M 2026. The process:

  1. Your audiogram is converted into a percentage hearing loss (Tables 7.1.3 to 7.1.8).
  2. An allowance for normal age-related hearing loss (presbyacusis) is subtracted (Table 7.1.9).
  3. The remaining percentage is divided by two to give your impairment points (Formula 7.1).

So a 20% age-adjusted hearing loss is rated at 10 points. If only one ear is affected, the paired organs rule in Table 7.1.10 applies. Tinnitus is rated separately (see tinnitus).

Hearing loss is one of the conditions that can be compensated on its own at 5 points. Most other conditions need a combined rating of at least 10.

Is hearing loss accepted on diagnosis?

From 1 July 2026, sensorineural hearing loss is accepted for any defence service, with no minimum period. You still need an audiogram that confirms the diagnosis.

All new claims are decided under the MRCA from 1 July 2026. If you lodged before then, your claim is decided under the Act that applied when you lodged. What changed.

Common questions

Is hearing loss automatically accepted by DVA?
Sensorineural hearing loss is accepted on diagnosis for any defence service from 1 July 2026, with no minimum service period.
What's the minimum hearing loss DVA pays for?
Hearing loss can be paid on its own from 5 impairment points, which is roughly a 10% hearing loss after the age adjustment.
Does DVA pay for hearing aids?
If your hearing loss is accepted, treatment for it, including hearing services, is covered through your Veteran Card.

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